Why has Denmark supported wind farms and biofuels?

Denmark’s transition toward wind farms and biofuels was primarily driven by a need to reduce the country's historical dependence on imported petroleum, which caused significant economic strain during the 1970s.1

Following this period, the Danish government implemented policies to shift toward more environmentally friendly power sources. Key factors in this transition include:1

• Energy Security: After the 1970s, Denmark sought to move away from imported fossil fuels, eventually achieving self-sufficiency in oil and natural gas while simultaneously investing in renewable alternatives.1
• Environmental Policy: The government banned the construction of new coal-burning power plants and incentivized the use of biofuels in existing facilities.1
• Sustainability: Denmark has prioritized sustainability by subsidizing wind energy, which now provides a substantial and growing portion of the country’s electricity. By 2021, Denmark generated the largest percentage of its electricity from wind power of any nation.12

This strategic shift reflects a commitment to reducing the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel combustion.12